Seattle Sounders managed to defeat the visiting team of Isidro Metapan of El Salvador by one goal. Freddy Montero of Sounders was able to score within 60 minutes with a 40 meter center kick that surprised the Isidro Metapan goalkeeper Misael Alfaro who allowed the ball to go into his net.

Freddy Montero scored his sixth goal for the Sounders in the 2010 Season with this goal after replacing Nate Jacqua. The game itself was intense, with the Sounders dominating from the beginning with their consistency and discipline.

The Sounders also had the hometown advantage against one of the most powerful teams in El Salvador. Reagrdless of such advantages, there were failed attempts at scoring a goal before Montero.

James Riley who is the fullback to the Sounders was able to strike through the right flank and play the ball to Nyassi. Nyassi was then able to connect with Montano who then allowed the ball to go off the intended target.

Osvaldo Alonso was able to take a free kick from the 18 yard box edge after a dangerous kick by Eirck Prado who is the defender for Metapan but it was deflected. Roger Levesque and Michael Seamon attempted another kick which was also deflected.

Misael Alfaro attempted an equalizer for the Isidro Metapan in the last minute of the game. The result was that the ball deflected at the Seattle Sounder Goalpost.

The Sounders and Isidro Metapan are expecting to have a rematch at the Estadio Jorge Calero Suarez in El Salvador on August 3 2010. It remains to be seen whether the Sounders will survive the rematch or Isidro Metapan could turn the tables on them.

The winner of the rematch will go ahead to the Group Stage and will be form part of Group C with Monterrey, Saprissa, and/or Marathon or Tauro 

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L ocal soccer fans in attendance at the 2010 MLS All Star Game in Houston got a reason to cheer as they saw a local player get into the game and score a goal.

Houston Dynamo's forward Brian Ching came into the game in the 46th minute as a replacement for Juan Pablo Angel.

The orange clad Dynamo fans in the stands came to their feet when he headed a free kick from David Ferreira past Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

His goal came in the 64th minute, taking the score to 2-1, cutting the Red Devil's lead to one.

He came back with an assist in the 90th minute on Dwayne De Rosario's goal.

The goals by Ching and De Rosario are all the MLS All Stars could put on the scoreboard.

Ching was added to the All Star roster by Commissioner Don Garber as one of his two exclusive picks.

"It was really amazing to do that in front of all those fans. It was an incredible atmosphere, and I will always remember that moment," Ching stated in the post-game press conference.

He also said, "This was a good night for the MLS. It showed how far the MLS has come. Soccer is the top youth sport out there, and if you look at the crowd we had, I think you could see it is finding its footing, and that’s really exciting."

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It is arguably the biggest transfer that has not happened besides Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona.

The move I speak of is Landon Donovan to Europe.

Having been the best player in MLS the past several seasons, and after some incredible performances recently with the United States national team, Donovan has attracted clubs from all over the world.

In 2009, it was Bayern Munich, where he spent 10 weeks on loan, but failed to break into Germany's greatest squad.

This year changed everything. Donovan had always been doubted when it came to playing outside of MLS, having had miserable spells at Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. This year, he gained the attention of David Moyes and Everton of the English Premier League.

Ten appearances produced two goals, three assists, and wins over Manchester United and Premier League winners Chelsea, as well as a draw with Arsenal. He also played very well in a loss in the Merseyside Derby against Liverpool.

Not many players can say they were able to lead their club to seven of a possible 12 points against the Big Four, especially with all those games during a span of less than ten games. Donovan can.

He was a star at Goodison Park, as big as he has been in MLS for a long time. Then, of course, came the World Cup and his three goals in four matches, none bigger than the 91st minute strike that shook the nation against Algeria.

After his return, MLS commissioner Don Garber made him untouchable.

Or so we thought.

The other day, the LA Galaxy said that it would have to be a "silly" offer to get Donovan away from the United States.

Rumor has it, there are several teams ready to get silly.

Everton are of course the most likely destination, as the club and fans adore Donovan and would love to have him back. Passing up the chance to play with Tim Howard could be difficult for Donovan as well.

Roberto Mancini has declared several times that his club, Manchester City, want Donovan very badly. They'd be most likely to make the biggest offer with all the money at their disposal.

Donovan has also stated that several clubs in the Italian Serie A have expressed interest in the 28-year-old.

Days after the league and Galaxy stated there would be no move, the Galaxy, Donovan, and Garber made it seem as if there was a possibility.

"We have had transfer interest and we will have some time to think about it and see where it goes," Donovan said following the MLS All Star Game against Manchester United. "There is interest from a number of teams."

Despite efforts to keep him in the league, Garber fully understands that the greatest American soccer player ever wants a move to Europe.

"Landon is an incredibly important part of the American soccer movement and to have him lead MLS after performing on the world stage, is extremely valuable," Garber told Reuters. "I am pleased that he renegotiated his deal for several more years and I hope that he will stay here for the rest of his career but it's not my decision, it's Landon's decision and LA Galaxy's decision."

The Galaxy captain has three goals in thirteen matches overall for Los Angeles. He made his tenth All Star Game this season, but did not start after playing in a 4-1 Galaxy defeat to USSF Division 2 side Puerto Rico Islanders in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions' League Preliminary Round on Tuesday.

No official offers have been reported. The summer transfer window closes August 31st.

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In the weeks after MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced that Landon Donovan was not for sale at any price, he's stuck to his guns. Donovan remains, the right choice for the MLS.

There's been an uproar of protest from fans, as Donovan's prime melts away with each passing day.

It's difficult to argue against the Donovan supporters. Few big fish reach their potential in a small pond. All one has to do is watch Donovan play an MLS game to realize he's well beyond most of his teammates and opponents. European competition would challenge him much more.

Still, some further explanation on Garber's part could have softened the sting of Donovan's squandered talents. Instead all he has said is, "MLS needs soccer heroes, and we have a great American soccer hero playing for us in LA, holding the torch for our sport in this country, and that's very important. I don't believe that's something we can do without." But there is a method to his madness.

Garber is too media savvy to make his reasoning plain though. The U.S. doesn't need Donovan in LA. American fans will watch Donovan here, overseas, or with the national team. It's the MLS that needs Donovan.

Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg, even Cuauhtemoc Blanco, and David Beckham (when they were playing in the MLS) can't keep the MLS alive without a high profile American player opposite them. Americans need a likable American athlete to support.

Not in any sort of American political-nationalist-zeitgeist sort of way, but Americans need an American headlining an American league.

Otherwise, we're back in the 1970's, watching foreigners enjoy our cities, date our moment, take our money, and perhaps put in an honest days work, but give fans a product that doesn't compare with European or even South American products. The domestic league needs a homegrown face to sell itself in a world-wide market.

That's the biggest difference between the MLS and all the other major American sports choices. Fans can change the channel to the best overseas match. So how does the league sell itself?

By being the place where American stars get their start. The problem is, if they don't have a current, concrete example then they can't sell themselves.

Part of the problem is the current situation with the national squad. The bulk of the team is young. The ones getting most of the playing time are already overseas, and there's not a tremendous amount of interest coming from major teams or leagues for up and coming players.

It's not 2003. Manchester United isn't looking at Tim Howard, and it's hard for defenders to be the focal point of a team, if not a league. You have to score to win, even if Italians would like to argue otherwise. Unfortunately for the MLS, the U.S. has one of its most stable lineups ever.

The U.S. is at least two years away from an American replacement, or replacements, for Donovan.

One of the most frustrating facets of being a U.S. supporter is the feeling that U.S. Soccer can never take advantage of its situation, and that's exactly what the MLS is trying to avoid. World Cup ratings were great. The national team had a positive run in South Africa, and the MLS product has improved dramatically. Without a high-profile American player to go with the domestic game, the league would drift aimlessly without an identity or goal at the worst possible moment.

The NFL has Peyton Manning and Tom Brady among a slew of others.

LeBron, Kobe, Dwayne Wade, etc. give the NBA a face to go with the name.

MLB had Mark McGwire,, Sammy Sosa, then Barry Bonds, and now A-Rod and Pujols.

These may be the best leagues with the best players, but every league needs an icon to hate or support.

Unfortunately, foreign players can't fill that role in the MLS. The structure of the league and its relationship to both the international game and world's more high profile leagues won't allow it. Until the next crop of future stars develop in the United States, Donovan's stuck here.

It may hurt to accept that Donovan's career might be stifled in the U.S., but there are some important points to remember.

First, the American game needs the MLS. The domestic game has been the primary reason why U.S. soccer has improved over the last 20 years. It's an integral part of the country's success. Having Donovan at home serves the greater good.

Secondly, Donovan made his choice when he re-signed with the league. He could just as easily offered his services overseas. Stuart Holden found a team. There is no reason why Donovan couldn't have as well. Even Jozy Altidore, a striker with potential, but the inability to score, still garners multiple team interests.

Not to mention that a number of past players have revealed the risks of re-signing with the MLS when there is interest overseas.

Taylor Twellman re-signed with the New England Revolution at the height of his career. A constant top-rated forward for the MLS, he cited the overrated idea of "security and stability" as the reasoning for signing a four year contract extension in 2007. Then Europe came calling. But just like Donovan, albeit on a smaller scale, the New England Revolution could not afford to sell their most valuable asset. His career has never been the same.

Donovan isn't charting new territory. The risks and the rewards were apparent well before he signed on the line. He's the only one to blame for this situation.

Finally, just because someone says they're going to reject an offer, it doesn't mean they will. Every year, a manager labels a high-profile player as invaluable and not for sale at any price, but like a bad parent that eventually gives in to a spoiled child, that player goes when the money is too good to be true.

Nothing is set in stone.

In the meantime, remember, the MLS is doing right for itself and for all the other players involved, and indirectly, for the future of the American game. Donovan will have his opportunities. Maybe it will only be through loan (until he's too exhausted or injured to take a team up on the offer), or perhaps only with the national team, but it's not the end of his career if he stays.

He got to where he is now by playing at home. For whatever reason, a comfortable situation, combined with limited world class competition makes it easier for him to succeed.

Plus, he'll be 32 by the next World Cup, and there's no telling what will happen to him in that time. He may lose his speed (integral to his game). He may sustain a career altering injury (like Roy Keane). A new coach, style of play, new teammates, or a combination of a number of factors may change his role on the national team.

Who knows?

Donovan won't miss out on the money either. Sponsorships alone will make up for a lot of lost revenue. His ceiling might suffer, and that's sad for him, but the domestic game will remain, and that's Don Garber's focus. Too bad he can't admit as much.

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In the weeks after MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced that Landon Donovan was not for sale at any price, he's stuck to his guns. Donovan remains, the right choice for the MLS.

There's been an uproar of protest from fans, as Donovan's prime melts away with each passing day.

It's difficult to argue against the Donovan supporters. Few big fish reach their potential in a small pond. All one has to do is watch Donovan play an MLS game to realize he's well beyond most of his teammates and opponents. European competition would challenge him much more.

Still, some further explanation on Garber's part could have softened the sting of Donovan's squandered talents. Instead all he has said is, "MLS needs soccer heroes, and we have a great American soccer hero playing for us in LA, holding the torch for our sport in this country, and that's very important. I don't believe that's something we can do without." But there is a method to his madness.

Garber is too media savvy to make his reasoning plain though. The U.S. doesn't need Donovan in LA. American fans will watch Donovan here, overseas, or with the national team. It's the MLS that needs Donovan.

Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg, even Cuauhtemoc Blanco, and David Beckham (when they were playing in the MLS) can't keep the MLS alive without a high profile American player opposite them. Americans need a likable American athlete to support.

Not in any sort of American political-nationalist-zeitgeist sort of way, but Americans need an American headlining an American league.

Otherwise, we're back in the 1970's, watching foreigners enjoy our cities, date our moment, take our money, and perhaps put in an honest days work, but give fans a product that doesn't compare with European or even South American products. The domestic league needs a homegrown face to sell itself in a world-wide market.

That's the biggest difference between the MLS and all the other major American sports choices. Fans can change the channel to the best overseas match. So how does the league sell itself?

By being the place where American stars get their start. The problem is, if they don't have a current, concrete example then they can't sell themselves.

Part of the problem is the current situation with the national squad. The bulk of the team is young. The ones getting most of the playing time are already overseas, and there's not a tremendous amount of interest coming from major teams or leagues for up and coming players.

It's not 2003. Manchester United isn't looking at Tim Howard, and it's hard for defenders to be the focal point of a team, if not a league. You have to score to win, even if Italians would like to argue otherwise. Unfortunately for the MLS, the U.S. has one of its most stable lineups ever.

The U.S. is at least two years away from an American replacement, or replacements, for Donovan.

One of the most frustrating facets of being a U.S. supporter is the feeling that U.S. Soccer can never take advantage of its situation, and that's exactly what the MLS is trying to avoid. World Cup ratings were great. The national team had a positive run in South Africa, and the MLS product has improved dramatically. Without a high-profile American player to go with the domestic game, the league would drift aimlessly without an identity or goal at the worst possible moment.

The NFL has Peyton Manning and Tom Brady among a slew of others.

LeBron, Kobe, Dwayne Wade, etc. give the NBA a face to go with the name.

MLB had Mark McGwire,, Sammy Sosa, then Barry Bonds, and now A-Rod and Pujols.

These may be the best leagues with the best players, but every league needs an icon to hate or support.

Unfortunately, foreign players can't fill that role in the MLS. The structure of the league and its relationship to both the international game and world's more high profile leagues won't allow it. Until the next crop of future stars develop in the United States, Donovan's stuck here.

It may hurt to accept that Donovan's career might be stifled in the U.S., but there are some important points to remember.

First, the American game needs the MLS. The domestic game has been the primary reason why U.S. soccer has improved over the last 20 years. It's an integral part of the country's success. Having Donovan at home serves the greater good.

Secondly, Donovan made his choice when he re-signed with the league. He could just as easily offered his services overseas. Stuart Holden found a team. There is no reason why Donovan couldn't have as well. Even Jozy Altidore, a striker with potential, but the inability to score, still garners multiple team interests.

Not to mention that a number of past players have revealed the risks of re-signing with the MLS when there is interest overseas.

Taylor Twellman re-signed with the New England Revolution at the height of his career. A constant top-rated forward for the MLS, he cited the overrated idea of "security and stability" as the reasoning for signing a four year contract extension in 2007. Then Europe came calling. But just like Donovan, albeit on a smaller scale, the New England Revolution could not afford to sell their most valuable asset. His career has never been the same.

Donovan isn't charting new territory. The risks and the rewards were apparent well before he signed on the line. He's the only one to blame for this situation.

Finally, just because someone says they're going to reject an offer, it doesn't mean they will. Every year, a manager labels a high-profile player as invaluable and not for sale at any price, but like a bad parent that eventually gives in to a spoiled child, that player goes when the money is too good to be true.

Nothing is set in stone.

In the meantime, remember, the MLS is doing right for itself and for all the other players involved, and indirectly, for the future of the American game. Donovan will have his opportunities. Maybe it will only be through loan (until he's too exhausted or injured to take a team up on the offer), or perhaps only with the national team, but it's not the end of his career if he stays.

He got to where he is now by playing at home. For whatever reason, a comfortable situation, combined with limited world class competition makes it easier for him to succeed.

Plus, he'll be 32 by the next World Cup, and there's no telling what will happen to him in that time. He may lose his speed (integral to his game). He may sustain a career altering injury (like Roy Keane). A new coach, style of play, new teammates, or a combination of a number of factors may change his role on the national team.

Who knows?

Donovan won't miss out on the money either. Sponsorships alone will make up for a lot of lost revenue. His ceiling might suffer, and that's sad for him, but the domestic game will remain, and that's Don Garber's focus. Too bad he can't admit as much.

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The first Mexican to wear the red and white colours of Manchester United and only 22, Javier Hernandez joins one of the great clubs of European football with so much expectation and promise.

For many who don't follow Mexican domestic football like myself, the first time we heard his name was when United revealed him as their latest signing.

Then came the World Cup, where he performed quite honourably when called upon, and now he joins his new boss and teammates in the US.

Hernandez has already got the eye of many, he has brought some ease and satisfaction to the hearts of many faithful fans who gear up for another long season in the Premiership.

While local rivals Manchester City splash millions on quality players, United, who are financially burdened, reveal the depth in their squad by unearthing some of the most promising youngsters.

Hernandez, who made the move for only £ 6 Million, which could be defined as change in today's world of multi-million pound transfers. A lucky catch many might say, as Ferguson and his men secured the deal prior to the World Cup.

United faced the MLS All-Stars in a capacity crowd stadium, and won the match with a convincing score line of 5-2 on the night. The fifth goal coming from the foot of Hernandez on debut.

After watching a couple videos of him while at Guadalajara, one thing is clear, he is deadly in front of goal, he has the speed to frustrate and scare defenders, he's intelligent, and somehow knows exactly when to pull the trigger.

He's scored 26 goals in just over 60 appearances for Guadalajara, but more impressive is his international record. With just 16 caps to his name he has already scored nine goals with two of them coming at the World Cup, one against France and the other against Argentina in front of a capacity crowd at Soccer City.

Hernandez seems to have a presence about himself, the belief that he can, and applying that together with his pace, he will trouble defenders in the league.

For some time now, United have fell short in terms of the "X-Factor." Since the departure of Ronaldo, there hasn't been a player who could represent more than just the usual on the field.

Personally I feel Hernandez has that in him.

Yes, whilst it's true that we haven't watched enough of him to judge his abilities, from the little I've seen both internationally and with domestic club Guadalajara, he looks highly promising, and having turned 22 in June, has a long and bright future ahead.

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Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy have to be hurting from their embarrassing 4-1 loss to the Puerto Rico Islanders.

The good news for the team is that they won't have to deal with that sham of a match known as the MLS All-Star Game (which I am putting my money on Manchester United to run away with) for the rest of the season.

It's back to league play as they take on Carlos De Los Cobos's Chicago Fire at the Home Depot Center, where they have been struggling to get results the past few games.

The Galaxy have not registered a win at the HDC since July 4, and will look to shake off what can be described as a nightmare of a contest that registered more like the arrival of the Four Horsemen of the Borrinqueñapocalypse (a.k.a. Dan Gaudette, David Foley, Nicolas Addlery and Josh Hansen).

Los Angeles has a record of 12-2-4 (40 points), good for the best record in Major League Soccer and the MLS Western Conference.

But the Galaxy have had a nagging habit for squandering home field advantage as of late, and face a Fire like looking for a spark.

Chicago are catching up from SuperLiga action and have four games in hand over the Galaxy, including this contest. They are 4-5-5 (17 points) and will need every remaining match to contend for a spot in the 2010 MLS Cup Playoffs.

The Fire is led by Marco Pappa, who has six goals on the season. Longtime veteran Brian McBride, a player with a storied career, has four goals to his name, while Baggio Husidic has score three this season.

Look for the playmaking ability of Pappa and Patrick Nyarko to be a threat to the Galaxy's defense. Nyarko has six assists so far this year, while Pappa has added four.

What Chicago will need to do is to attack with precision. The Galaxy backline paid the price for sleeping in the back, just like they did against San Jose.

Pappa, McBride and Nyarko will need to use their speed and passing to shoot through the gaps the defense will open, allowing Fire attack to take a crack at Donovan Ricketts.

On defense, C.J. Brown is the workhorse for the Fire, having played every league minute this season for Chicago.

Brown, Wilman Code and Kryzystof Krol form a trio of defenders that will look to make Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan a non-factor.

Chicago will need to put numbers in the box and force the Galaxy to be creative in their shot selection.

Goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra has made 44 saves and has a 1.36 goals against average for the Fire.

As for Buddle, Donovan, Ricketts and defender Omar Gonzales, the MLS All-Star Game will be in their rear-view mirror. Buddle has 12 goals on the season, while Donovan has 11 assists.

They were a no-show against Puerto Rico; they can't be a no-show against Chicago, lest the Buddlevan Connection lose its mojo.

Ricketts has a 0.59 GAA to go with 48 saves made this season. He will hope that his back line and midfield do a better job in neutralizing opposing team speeds such as Chicago's.

Watch for Gonzales to play a huge role in stopping the attackers. The team sure missed his presence on the pitch, but you can blame Don Garber for having the idea of an All-Star Game to prevent him from starting last Tuesday. Gonzales has been a life saver for this team, and he will be counted on come Sunday.

This Galaxy side never fails to impress and to unimpress its followers and pundits.

Note that on Monday, this author will be celebrating his 26th birthday. A draw will be a good enough present to make up for a terrible way to end July.

Then again, July was the most difficult month for the Galaxy to begin with, with all the action going on...

But this side will need to search for answers. They have to. Especially with the decider at Loubriel looming on Wednesday.

A victory on Sunday will give them some confidence heading into their match with the Islanders, but I'm a realist when it comes to how teams are doing. This will be a draw.

Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel.

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Home cooking be damned!

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy must not be taking the CONCACAF Champions League as seriously as they should be.

They say that they are, but I seriously doubt that they are being honest with themselves. It is a disgrace that they have no wishes to be the best team in the confederation, and it's a shame.

Tuesday night's 4-1 loss to the Puerto Rico Islanders—a team that only qualified through a minor sub-confederation tournament and is not even in contention for the playoffs in their own league—epitomized this depressing fact: they are taking the CONCACAF Champions League lightly.

The biggest loser among the G's has to be the most unlikeliest of units: the back line. They picked the wrong time to play their worst football of the year (although it's not completely their fault, see INS and OUTS for a better explanation).

You can't let unknowns like David Foley and Nicholas Addlery get open on the front and not get any help; it's criminal and it will make you look like a fool 100 percent of the time.

In fact, this back line played like a bunch of amateur, over-the-hill deadbeats who have no shot at a winning record if they were to even think of trying out for the Galaxy.

It's straight out of a nightmare in that it reeked of every malediction you can think of in the book...and some.

The scary part about this whole ordeal is that with four months to go in this 2010 Major League Soccer season, we may not have seen the last of this decrepit display.

Granted, the team will do themselves a huge favor by not protecting Josh Saunders at next year's Expansion Draft, but the back line failed to pull their weight in stopping the opportunistic attack of Puerto Rico.

Of course, the midfielders and forwards of Los Angeles are just as culpable. You won't win titles if you can't break apart a defense that puts numbers in the box and dispossesses on a routine basis.

The Chicago Fire may already have an idea on how to stop this Galaxy side. Park the bus, disrupt the communication. Nothing too fancy.

I was particularly disappointed with Chris Birchall. You would think that Birchall would have been on the score sheet for the season by now, but he has just been struggling to produce offensively.

Birchall is starting to be a liability with every blown chance he has had on goal, and he knows it.

And this has to be the very first time neither Edson Buddle nor Landon Donovan were a factor in the match. Every other MLS opponent (save perhaps Toronto) has had to put up with this duo, but both of them were AWOL tonight.

And you cannot go AWOL in a tournament like the CONCACAF Champions League. The Los Angeles Galaxy was absent without leave on Tuesday.

In their place were impostors who made a mockery of the true side's form by letting a bunch of Davids from Bayamon turn this bunch into a group of Goliaths.

The Islanders can afford to lose 3-0 on Wednesday at the Loubriel and still go through via the away goals rule. That's how badly the Los Angeles Galaxy played on Tuesday.

At least the club's front office can breathe a sigh of relief that if they have to issue a refund for this performance, they won't have to give too many and threaten the bottom line.

If the Galaxy's wheels have indeed fallen off, they fell off against Colin Clarke's Puerto Rico Islanders, whose season may have been saved and manager's situation made safe on Tuesday night.

And if we're to be proven wrong, then Arena's men need to head to the island next Wednesday and show the sixth-letter-of-the-English-alphabet up.

With that said, I move on to the...

Note to Commissioner Garber: Scrap the MLS All-Star Game

You know, I still don't understand why we even have this atrocious exhibition we like to call the MLS All-Star Game. I have done myself a huge favor in not paying attention to this circus of a show, and focusing my scrutiny on the matches that matter.

Don Garber, you seem to disappoint me. First, you protect Landon Donovan as if he is your long-lost stepchild, and then you have this brain fart of an idea known as the MLS All-Star Game (which is a just a glorified scrimmage against a legit club from across the pond against an overmatched ragtag group of players from one league without any gel for binding) held a day after the Galaxy's 4-1 annihilation by the Puerto Rico Islanders.

Garber, we already have something similar to this. Something which is a whole lot better and which dates back to when this code was first played. Something called "International Club Friendlies."

I don't care if this ragtag group branded the "MLS All-Stars" takes a page from Addlery and Foley and pastes Manchester United 4-1...get rid of the MLS All-Star Game.

It's unnecessary, and it gets in the way of the matches that really matter (i.e. CONCACAF Champions League and International Club Friendlies). Please? Thank you.


Youth Academy Update

The LA Galaxy Youth Academy Under-20s will be in action down in Rockford, Ill., for the Super-20 League North American Finals.

On Thursday, July 29, the G's take on the Brooklyn Knights at 9:00 a.m. CT. At that same time on Friday, July 30, the Galaxy face Triangle FC.

On July 31, the Galaxy conclude round-robin play against CUP at 9:00 a.m. CT. Semifinals that day are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT with the final slated for 11:00 a.m. CT on August 1.


Three matches in one week to kick off August

The Galaxy will have three matches in the first week of August. On Aug. 1, they return to league action to face the Chicago Fire at the Home Depot Center.

They will then fly to San Juan in the hopes of rallying back against the Puerto Rico Islanders on Aug. 4 at Bayamon's Juan Roman Loubriel Stadium before their last club friendly of the season, an Aug. 7 match with Real Madrid at the Rose Bowl.

As always, be sure to keep it right here on Bleacher Report and The View from Victoria Street for continuing coverage of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

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T-180 minutes to kickoff: So now we begin what we hope to be the first part of a long run for the Los Angeles Galaxy in the CONCACAF Champions League. This will be the very first time the Galaxy compete in this tournament under its current incarnation; the G's last took part in the CCL in 2006, when it was called the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

T-170: Let me go ahead and give you a little background on how this was drawn up. The competition's former format, called the Champions' Cup, had eight teams competing - four from the North American zone (two from Mexico, two from the United States/Canada), three from the Central American zone, and one from the Caribbean zone. 

T-160: Since 2005, the champion of the competition also gained entry into the FIFA Club World Cup, giving clubs an added incentive for a strong participation and greater interest from fans. Also the Champions' Cup Runner-up would be one of the three CONCACAF invitees to the Copa Sudamericana.

T-150: The CONCACAF Executive Committee at their 2006 November meeting decided to "act upon" a proposal at their next meeting by the CONCACAF Secretariat to develop the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup into a larger “Champions League” style event. The CONCACAF Executive Committee reported on November 14th, 2007 some of the details. 

T-140: The previous Champions' Cup format was used as planned in the Spring of 2008. Then, a newly expanded Champions League tournament was conducted starting in August 2008 and concluding in May 2009. 

T-130: The setup involves 24 teams initially and features a Preliminary Round contested by some of the teams to reduce the field to 16 teams, which are separated into 4 groups of four teams. After the Group Stage, the Championship Rounds are held from the Quarterfinal Round onward.

T-120: We are now two hours away from kickoff here at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. A place also known simply as "Victoria Street." Now it's time for me to introduce our protagonists.

First, there's the Los Angeles Galaxy. Bruce Arena's club are doing relatively well this season in Major League Soccer, with a six-point lead on the Columbus Crew for the overall top spot in the standings(although the Crew currently have a game in hand over LA).

With a 12-2-4 record, they are also nine points to the good of Real Salt Lake (who also have a game in hand over the Galaxy). From this writer's perspective, I would believe Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan, Omar Gonzalez and Donovan Ricketts will emphasize this match a whole lot more than what will amount to nothing more than a glorified scrimmage at Reliant against Manchester United.

T-110: As for the boys from Bayamon, they are having a tough year in the USSF Division two Professional League, that one-year compromise of a competition after the NASL and USL could not reconcile in time to co-exist on their own terms.

Currently, they are 6-7-5 and occupy the cellar in the USL Conference. The only reason why they are here in the first place is because of a tournament called the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship.

It's really unfortunate that Jamaica chose to sit this one out. I would have loved to see Harbour View take on the Galaxy. Maybe I would have been able to savor some Jamaican patties with my ackee and fish.

T-100: But going back to the CFU Club Championship, the Islanders (also known as La Tropa Naranja—The Orange Troop) got a free pass to the second round as a results of the 2009 performance last year. They would face Haitian side Racing des Gonaïves. 

Both teams technically comprised Group E, but it was really a two-legged aggregate contest. Puerto Rico trounced Racing 5-0 (2-0, 3-0) to move on to the final round.

T-90: In their first final round match, the Islanders defeated Puerto Rico Soccer League side Bayamon 3-0. They would then be tested by the Trinidadian clubs. 

A last-gasp equalizer by John Hansen salvaged a 1-1 draw with Joe Public F.C. The contest with San Juan Jabloteh would determine the winner. A 19th minute goal by Nicholas Addlery sealed Jabloteh's fate, and the Islanders went on to win their first CFU Club Championship crown.

T-80: As for the Galaxy, plain and simple on how they got here. They won the MLS Western Conference on aggregate against the Houston Dynamo last season (bad lighting and all) to get here. 

As the MLS Cup runners-up, they have the honor (or is that dishonor? Ask the gentlemen who botched the penalties last season with panache) of going through the Preliminary Round tonight. There is a good crown on hand here. They know how important it is for the team to storm past the gates early and often.

T-70: Other matches going on in the preliminary round today include San Juan Jabloteh vs Santos Laguna, San Francisco (of Panama, not up there) vs Cruz Azul, and Toronto FC vs Montagua of Honduras. Right now, Toronto is leading Motagua 1-0 while Santos and Jabloteh are in locked in a scoreless draw going into the break.

Tomorrow, Panama's Tauro F.C. takes on C.D. Marathón of Honduras, the Seattle Sounders clash with El Salvador's Isidro Metapan and Costa Rica's Brujas F.C. face off against Joe Public. The first leg wraps up with a match between El Salvador's C.D. FAS and Xelajú of Guatemala.

T-60: In other non-CCL action, Manchester United defeated the Kansas City Wizards 2-1 and Seattle defeated the Colorado Rapids 2-1. One hour to kickoff, and you can just feel the excitment buzz in the air. Lineups.

T-50: A little history on the Islanders. In 1995, a team called the Puerto Rico Islanders joined the USISL, now the United Soccer Leagues (USL). The team had been founded by Joe Serralta and other Puerto Rican businessmen and had played only seven games before Serralta decided to move the franchise to Houston, Texas on June 1st, changing its name to the Houston Force.

The move was prompted by problems with the Puerto Rican Football Federation and low attendances. The Force folded after one game in Houston.

Eight years after Serralta's first attempt at professional football, he gave it another go and together with a new group of Puerto Rican businessmen officially created the current incarnation of the Puerto Rico Islanders. The team played their first A-League season, now the USL First Division, in 2004. 

T-40: The original squad was composed of a large number of local Puerto Rican players and a contingency of foreign players composed of Americans, Brazilians, Salvadoran and Argentines completed this first squad, the team was coached by Brazilian Vitor Hugo Barros who was replaced several games into the season by Argentine Hugo Hernán Maradona, brother of the legendary Diego Armando Maradona.

Puerto Rico played its first league game in April 17, 2004 against the Toronto Lynx at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, the Islanders lost 1-0 in front of a reported 6,000 fans.

T-35: Both teams now warming up.

T-30: The Islanders have a loyal fan base in Puerto Rico and a small but strong following in the States. Fans come from all over the Island to watch the club play in Bayamón, something uncommon for Puerto Ricans, who tend to be very regionalistic when it comes to supporting profesional sports. The team averages between 4,000 and 6,000 fans per game in its home stadium, Juan Ramon Loubriel. The club has three supporters groups the Batallon S-10, Orange Star Ultras and La Rabia Naranja.

T-15: Diego Maradona is out as Argentina's manager, Barcalona cite a huge financial loss...and it's 15 minutes to kickoff here at the Home Depot Center.

T-10: Raymond Bogle is our match official today. Linesmen are Stephen Brown and Kedlee Powell and Baldomero Toledo is our fourth official.

T-5: Gaudette was a former Columbus Crew goalkeeper from 2005-2006, and MArco Velez, a native of the island also played for TFC in 2008. Courtesy Joseph D'Hippolito (a.k.a. Josephus Hippolitus) of the Associated Press.

T-0: Both teams will enter to the FIFA Anthem, since this is outside of the MLS jurisdictions. 

Final from Port-of-Spain: Santos Laguna 1, San Juan Jabloteh 0 thanks to Rodrigo Ruiz's goal in the 83rd minute.. Final from BMO Field: Toronto FC 1, C.D. Motagua 0. Chad Barrett scores in the 20th minute of that match.

FIRST HALF START: 7:06 P.M. PT

1' - And so the Galaxy's CONCACAF Champions' League journey begins. This is Gregg Berhalter. Juninho takes it early. Now here come the Orange Troop, but they are kept in check by the Galaxy midfield.

2' - Free kick for the Islanders' Noah Delgado. John Saunders will take that one. Goal kick.

3' - Juninho resets. LA will be wise to hold on to the ball and be creative tonight.

4' - Easy save for Bill Gaudette. Not a creative chance from Chris Birchall. He's been struggling this year. Back come the G's. Gaudette's gonna need to work his tush off tonight.

5' - Back come the Islanders. What anticipation from Bill Gaudette, breaking up the chance for Alan Gordon.

6' - Long ball goes nowhere. Here comes Eddie Lewis with the throw. That also goes into the desert. So far the Islanders are doing their part in holding the Galaxy at bay. LA will need to figure these guys out.

7' - Gaudette with the grab. Now back come the G's.

8' - This is Landon Donovan. The Galaxy go back on the offensive while the Islanders backline park the bus.

9' - Here's Marco Velez. Bogle is from Jamaica, and he asks A.J. De La Garza and Puerto Rico's David Foley to watch themselves as Saunders takes that one.

10' - Saunders will look to redeem himself for a poor showing in the Open Cup quarters against Seattle. Galaxy is fouled. Here's a set piece chance. 

11' - Terrible shot from Juninho. Too much mustard on that hot dog. Goal kick Gaudette. A bullet dodged for the Orange Troop.

12' - There's a good save from Saunders on the Islanders counterattack. That's out for a goal kick. David John Foley is showing why he is the team's leading scorer. He's showing the hosts what he is capable of doing.

13' - Good marking from Richard Martinez. He is on the Puerto Rican national team, and he is showing his pedigree today.

14' - The Galaxy needs to speed up the tempo here. It's scoreless here at Victoria Street. 

15' - Ambitious, but speculative effort by Alan Gordon. Here comes Puerto Rico. Set piece goes off. And here come the Galaxy on the counter.

16' - Good touch from Eddiew Lewis, and Marco Velez with the mark. Not bad football. Impressive defense from Bill Gaudette. Gordon should have done better.

17' - Puerto Rico called for offsides.

18' - The Orange Troop regroup. Berhalter clears that initial chance. This is a pretty good defensive side, and the Galaxy still haven't figured these guys out yet.

19' - Osei Telesford, formerly of Joe Public F.C., called for the foul. Set piece for Landon Donovan. That is swept by the Puerto Rico backline.

20' - Buddle unable to get help. Galaxy forced to regroup through Saunders.

21' - Corner for LA. Let's see what happens here.

22' - Acrimony. Take two. Berhalter butchers that header.

23' - Here's a corner for Puerto Rico.

24' - Too high a shot. Goal kick Saunders.

25' - 25 minutes into the match and Puerto Rico's defense is the reason behind the scoreless deadlock. Dubious decision by Bogle, as the boo birds are out in full force.

26' - Corner for the Islanders. Here it comes. 

27' - GOAL! Puerto Rico Islanders #7 David Foley
This was not the start the Galaxy wanted. The poor form from the San Jose match is rearing its ugly head again. 

28' - And you gotta be wondering, what the heck was A.J. De LA Garza doing inside the box on that goal? Atrocious defending.

29' - They can't buy a goal at this point, the Galaxy can't.

30' - Goal kick Gaudette. These guys need to up the creativity.

31' - Los Angeles needs to respond to that stinker of a goal given up, but they haven't been helping themselves so far.

32' - Foley would be useful in MLS. He is who Kendall Jagdeosingh was last year: a giant-killer.

34' - Los Angeles cannot afford to lose their cool. They are down 1-0.

35' - There is no question that of all the players struggling to find his scoring touch, you have to talk about Chris Birchall. He has not been in form this season, and it's showing again tonight.

38' - How impressive has Richard Martinez been. I tell you, this Islanders side can win two players down, so long as he still on the pitch.

39' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN #26 Michael Stephens
OUT #20 A.J. De La Garza

This will put Sean Franklin at right back.

40' - Offsides, Galaxy. 

41' - Here's Juninho. And there is some more solid defending from Puerto Rico. 

42' - Set piece time.

43' - Landon has some explaining to do after this match is over.

Yellow card 5 Noah Delgado
Puerto Rico Islanders

44' - Edson Buddle got easily marked there.

45' - GOAL! Puerto Rico Islanders #11 Nicholas Addlery Assist 2 Scott Jones
These guys are not taking this tournament seriously. Shame on these players. Whereas for the Islanders, their season may be saved tonight, and who can blame them?

45' + 1' - One minute of additional stoppage time.

Bruce Arena, you got some explaining to do.

SECOND HALF START: 8:08 P.M. PT

46' - The second half is underway, and let me tell you, they need to rally, and rally fast. This first half will go down as the worst first half of the season from the Galaxy and is in the running for the worst first or second this year.

47' - No help from the right, as Sean Franklin's cross goes into the safe hands of Bill Gaudette for the Islanders.

48' - That parried Juninho shot just exemplified how things have been for the Galaxy tonight. It has been a nightmare.

49' - Bogle hears the boo birds as a foul is called on Edson Buddle for stiffing Marco Velez.

50' - 50 minutes in, and it's 2-0 Puerto Rico.

51' - Leonardo misses his marker. It's been bad news from his bad touch.

52' - Chivas USA could break through this defensive backline of the Galaxy; it's that porous.

53' - The Islanders are getting numbers behind the ball and the Galaxy are paying the price for not pushing forward and upping the pace. You can never win hardware when playing like this. It simply won't happen.

55' - Back come the Islanders. And this is turning ugly. Real ugly.

56' - GOAL! Puerto Rico Islanders #20 Josh Hansen
This backline has been a total letdown from the start, and I don't know about you but Saunders may not be protected in the Expansion Draft next year. Hansen used to play for the G's. A little factoid.

60' - Here is Sean Franklin, and the lack of creativity from this club has been nothing but disastrous.

62' - 62 minutes in, and you are not seeing things—it's 3-0 Puerto Rico. I don't know about you, but after seeing that last save by Gaudette, Colin Clarke is not going anywhere.

63' - Eddie Lewis ahas seen better days

64' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 
17 Tristan Bowen
88 Alex Cazumba

OUT
21 Alex Gordon
16 Gregg Berhalter

66' - 66 minutes, and the Islanders are leading the Galaxy 3-0. You know, the Islanders need to thank Commissioner Don Garber for coming up with this horrid exhibition we call an "MLS All-Star Game." It successfully destroyed the formation.

69' - I thought this was going to be an own goal right there. Instead, it's a cleared corner.

70' - Corner for the G's. Terrible follow-through.

71' - 6,873 came out to see this stinkfest of a match.

Substitution Puerto Rico Islanders.
IN 19 Kevon Villaroel
OUT 5 Noah Delgado

74' - Bogle says advantage, and the Galaxy go back, hoping to at least salvage a goal.

75' - That set piece is stopped, and so is the corner.

76' - 76 in, and it's 3-0 Puerto Rico.

77' - Another stop from Gaudette. Here's the corner. And that was as bad as the others.

78' - Substitution Puerto Rico Islanders
IN #10 Kendall Jagdeosingh
OUT #7 David Foley

79' - I have a confirmation to make: this will go down as the worst game played this season by the Galaxy. Absolute worst. Forget about the other losses that may go down the road in league play; this is on pace to trump them all.

81' - GOAL! Puerto Rico Islanders #11 Nicholas Addlery 
This Galaxy defensive backline is playing like a team of mummies.

83' - GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy #3 Richard Martinez, Puerto Rico Islanders (own goal)
This is gonna be mere consolation, and the Galaxy will still need to win by at least four on August 4.

86' - Fire fans, if you are reading this, just think of Barack Obama, will you? And that four-letter word. It starts with an "H" and ends with "ope" and rhymes with "dope."

87' - Substitution Puerto Rico Islanders
IN #21 Logan Emory
OUT #20 Josh Hansen

88' - The fans have seen enough and are heading for the exits. This team will need to adjust when they head to Loubriel. We have been treated to a horrid performance from the Galaxy backline and the only reason the team is on the score sheet is due to an own goal.

90' - Let's see how many minutes of stoppage time Toledo will put here. Shouldn't be much. Two minutes.

90' + 1' - You can sense how much this means to the island of Puerto Rico right now. It means a lot.

90' + 2' - That's a wrap. It's on to the second leg.

Stay tuned for my take on this match on The View and on Bleacher Report.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

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